More about Chilblains...
Some Common Causes
- They are caused by the skin’s abnormal reaction to cold, damp or draughty conditions.
- A poor diet can be a contributing factor.
- You may get chilblains due to hormonal imbalances in your body.
- Cold skin is warmed up far too quickly - let’s say by toasting your feet in front of the fire, or by running your feet under water that is far too hot.
The Main Symptoms
- When cold weather arrives you may feel your feet burning or itching.
- As you enter a warm room this feeling will get worse.
- There may be some swelling and redness and in very bad cases the skin may crack and bleed.
Cathy Bowen
MSc DPodM ILTM, Podiatrist
Chilblains
Chilblains are small, red and itchy swellings on your feet.They can become more painful as time passes developing into larger dry areas that have cracked and can bleed.
Suggested Treatments for Chilblains
Prevention is the key to managing this condition.
Avoid sitting or standing in draughts and avoid extremes of cold at all times.
Keep your body, feet and legs warm so that they do not get too cold.
Do not just concentrate on your feet as chilblains can occur on your fingers, your face (especially the tip of your nose) and your ear lobes.
Eat well. Good nutrition will help your body deal with this condition and could even prevent it occurring.
Don’t scratch the affected area.
Use lotions such as Witch Hazel or Calamine lotion to cool the area down.
If the chilblain has developed into a sore which is infected please seek professional help immediately from your nearest HPC registered Podiatrist, Physiotherapist or your GP.
Treating your condition
The Traffic Light symbol at the top of each condition page indicates the way you should approach it:
Red: Seek professional help immediately, either from a suitably qualified Podiatrist or Physiotherapist.
Amber: You can treat this condition yourself BUT you should seek professional help if you want reassurance that what you are doing is the best approach for you.
Green: You can treat this condition yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. However, for further reassurance it might be as well to talk the condition through with a suitably qualified Podiatrist.
Remember this advice is for guidance only and if you are in any doubt at all, please consult your nearest HPC Registered Podiatrist.